GPS1240 Rugged Sensor Features

• 12-channel GPS receiver for an

Data sheet all-in-view solution with very high
accuracy

• IP67 waterproof housing

• standard NMEA 0183 (v2) data output

• optimised for best performance in

dense urban environments

• battery-backed memory for faster

acquisition

• compact, high-temperature and

UV-resistant rugged case

• input power range of 7 to 32 VDC

• minimal power requirement, only

30 mA at 12 VDC (typical)

• RS-232 serial interface

• versatile mounting options

Related documents

• Product brief LA10094

• Installation Manual MN000183

• GPS1240 Development Kit adapter

• SiRF NMEA protocol reference

manual

• SiRF binary protocol reference manual

LA000505A © 2004 Navman NZ Ltd. All rights reserved. Proprietary information and specifications subject to change without notice. 1
Contents
1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................. 4
2.0 Technical description .................................................................................. 4
2.1 General information .........................................................................................................4
2.1.1 Receiver architecture .................................................................................................................4
2.1.2 Description of parts ....................................................................................................................4
2.1.3 Product applications ...................................................................................................................4
2.2 Mechanical specification ................................................................................................4
2.3 Physical characteristics ..................................................................................................4
2.4 Environmental ..................................................................................................................4
2.5 Compliances.....................................................................................................................4

3.0 Performance characteristics ...................................................................... 6

3.1 TTFF (Time To First Fix) ...................................................................................................6
3.1.1 Hot start ......................................................................................................................................6
3.1.2 Warm start..................................................................................................................................6
3.1.3 Cold start ....................................................................................................................................6
3.2 Acquisition times .............................................................................................................6
3.3 Backup battery .................................................................................................................6
3.4 Navigation modes ............................................................................................................6
3.4.1 Three-dimensional navigation (3D) ...........................................................................................6
3.4.2 Two-dimensional navigation (2D) ..............................................................................................6
3.5 Dynamic performance .....................................................................................................6
3.6 Static accuracy.................................................................................................................6

4.0 Electrical requirements............................................................................... 7

4.1 Power supply ....................................................................................................................7
4.2 Data input/output .............................................................................................................7

5.0 Interfaces ..................................................................................................... 7

5.1 External interface connection ........................................................................................7

6.0 Software protocol ........................................................................................ 7

6.1 NMEA output ....................................................................................................................7
6.2 NMEA sentence control ..................................................................................................7
6.2.1 Examples of communication with a host device ........................................................................7
6.3 SiRF binary output...........................................................................................................8
6.4 SBAS (Satellite Base Augmentation System) control .................................................8
6.4.1 Examples of communication with a host device .......................................................................8
7.0 Mounting options ......................................................................................... 8
7.1 Surface mounting .............................................................................................................8
7.2 Pole mounting ..................................................................................................................8

8.0 Packaging configuration............................................................................. 8

8.1 Product delivery ...............................................................................................................8

Glossary and acronyms .................................................................................... 9

LA000505A © 2004 Navman NZ Ltd. All rights reserved. Proprietary information and specifications subject to change without notice. 2
Figures
Figure 2-1 GPS1240 block diagram ......................................................................................5
Figure 2-2 Sample application of a fleet management/tracking system .........................5
Figure 5-1 Pinout diagram for the LTW-8FM connector ....................................................7
Figure 8-1 GPS1240 gift box .................................................................................................9

Tables
Table 1-1 Part description .....................................................................................................4
Table 3-1 Acquisition times ..................................................................................................6
Table 4-1 Operating power for the GPS1240 .......................................................................7
Table 5-1 Connector part description ..................................................................................7
Table 5-2 LTW-8FM connector pinout descriptions ...........................................................7
Table 6-1 NMEA default settings ..........................................................................................7

LA000505A © 2004 Navman NZ Ltd. All rights reserved. Proprietary information and specifications subject to change without notice. 3
1.0 Introduction
Based on the SiRFstarIIe navigation engine, the
GPS1240 Rugged Sensor provides OEMs and
System Integrators with an ideal solution for GPS
based navigation and tracking systems.
The GPS1240 continuously tracks all satellites
in view and uses enhanced filtering to provide
fast and accurate positioning information, even in
dense urban environments. The sensor combines
advanced performance, compact housing and very
low current consumption in an economically priced
package.
Part Number Description
AA006300R GPS1240 Sensor
Table 1-1 Part description
2.0 Technical description
2.1 General information
The GPS1240 provides a 12-channel GPS receiver
and patch antenna in a rugged waterproof casing.
It can be mounted externally in a wide variety of
vehicles working on 12 or 24 VDC power supplies.
Protocols supported are selected National Marine
Electronics Association (NMEA) data messages
and binary, NMEA-0183 being the default setting.
2.1.1 Receiver architecture
The functional architecture of the GPS1240
receiver is shown in Figure 2-1.
TCXO (Temperature Compensated Crystal
Oscillator)
The RFIC block requires a highly stable oscillator
to perform the down conversion process. Stability
in this frequency is required to achieve a fast TTFF
(Time To First Fix).
Baseband processor (GSP 2e/LP)
The main engine of the GPS receiver, this runs
all GPS signal measurement code, navigation
code, and other ancillary routines such as power
saving modes and DGPS. The normal I/O of this
processor is via the two serial ports.
Flash memory
Software is stored in Flash memory. Some long
term data is also stored in Flash memory.
RTC (Real Time Clock) crystal
This operates in conjunction with the RTC inside
the baseband block, and provides an accurate
time clock function when main power has been
removed.
Regulators
The regulators provide a clean and stable supply
to the components in the receiver and to the
backup battery charger.
2.1.3 Product applications
The GPS1240 Sensor is suitable for a wide range
of modular OEM GPS design applications such as:
• fleet/transport management
• industrial automation
• land/marine navigation
Figure 2-2 shows a sample application of a fleet
management/tracking system.

2.1.2 Description of parts 2.2 Mechanical specification

The major components of the GPS1240 Sensor
Dimensions: 97.4 mm (dia) x 26 mm (h) (radome)
are described as follows.
Weight: 165 g without cable, 490 g with cable
Antenna Cable length: 10 m
The antenna is a passive patch antenna that
receives the GPS signals. 2.3 Physical characteristics
LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) Enclosure: UV-stable rugged plastic radome
This amplifies the GPS signal and provides Weather resistant: to IP67 standard
enough gain for the receiver to use a passive
antenna. A very low noise design is utilised to 2.4 Environmental
provide maximum sensitivity. Operating temperature: 0°C to +60°C
Filter Humidity: up to 95% (non-condensing)
This filters the GPS signal and removes unwanted Altitude: –300 m to 18 000 m
signals caused by external influences that would
corrupt the operation of the receiver. 2.5 Compliances
RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit) The GPS1240 meets the requirements of the
The RFIC (and related components) converts the following standards: FCC: Part 15, Class B; CE:
GPS signal into an intermediate frequency, and EU EMC Directive EN55022; C-Tick.
then digitises it for use by the baseband processor.

LA000505A © 2004 Navman NZ Ltd. All rights reserved. Proprietary information and specifications subject to change without notice. 4
 TCXO
patch antenna 24.5535 MHz

NMEA
serial IO RS232 line data in
driver & spike
1.575 GHz RFIC protection NMEA
SiRF StarII data out
LNA bandpass SiRF StarII
GSP 2e/LP
filter GRF 2i/LP 32 kHz
RTC

1.8 V
flash
regulator

2.8 V
regulator

+ power in
DC-DC
converter
GND

battery charger

Figure 2-1 GPS1240 block diagram

GPS1240
cellular/
messaging radio antenna
terminal

vehicle-based
cellular/radio
computing/
NMEA data, RS232 modem
interface device

power
supply

Figure 2-2 Sample application of a fleet management/tracking system

LA000505A © 2004 Navman NZ Ltd. All rights reserved. Proprietary information and specifications subject to change without notice. 5
3.0 Performance characteristics 3.3 Backup battery
The internal backup battery continues to provide
3.1 TTFF (Time To First Fix) power to the RTC and Flash memory even when
TTFF values can be affected by changing the the main power input is removed.
values of maximum EHPE validity (Expected
Horizontal Position Error), maximum EVPE validity A fully charged battery is able to provide memory
(Expected Vertical Position Error), criterion for the backup for a power interruption of approximately
minimum number of satellites used for a solution 200 hours. The time taken to recharge a fully
and use of held attitude. Default conditions are: discharged battery is approximately 90 minutes.
100 m EHPE, 150 m EVPE, number of satellites
zero and held altitude enabled. A cold start will occur if the battery has reached a
discharged state.
3.1.1 Hot start
A hot TTFF results from a software reset after a 3.4 Navigation modes
period of continuous navigation or a return from The GPS receiver supports two types of navigation
a short idle period (i.e. a few minutes) that was mode operation: three-dimensional (3D) and
preceded by a period of continuous navigation. In two-dimensional (2D).
this state, all of the critical data (position, velocity,
time and satellite ephemeris) is valid to the 3.4.1 Three-dimensional navigation (3D)
specified accuracy and available in SRAM. The receiver defaults to 3D navigation when at
3.1.2 Warm start least four GPS satellites are being tracked. In
3D navigation, the receiver computes latitude,
A warm TTFF typically results from user-supplied longitude, altitude, and time information from
position and time initialisation data or continuous satellite measurements.
RTC operation with an accurate last known
position available from Flash memory. In this state, 3.4.2 Two-dimensional navigation (2D)
position and time data are present and valid but When less than four GPS satellite signals are
ephemeris data validity has expired. This is the available, or when a fixed altitude value can be
normal mode of operation with battery backup. used to produce an acceptable navigation solution,
3.1.3 Cold start the receiver will enter 2D navigation using a fixed
value of altitude determined by the host. Forced
A cold TTFF acquisition state results when position operation in 2D mode can be commanded by the
and time data is unknown, either of which results host.
in an unreliable satellite visibility list. Almanac
information is used to identify previously healthy In 2D navigation, the navigational accuracy is
satellites. primarily determined by the relationship of the fixed
altitude value to the true altitude of the antenna. If
3.2 Acquisition times the fixed value is correct, the specified horizontal
Table 3-1 shows the corresponding TTFF times for accuracies apply. Otherwise, the horizontal
each of the acquisition modes. accuracies will degrade as a function of the error in
the fixed altitude.
Mode Max Conditions
3.5 Dynamic performance
valid almanac, position,
TTFF hot* 8s Velocity: 500 m/s max
time & ephemeris
valid almanac, position & Acceleration: 4 G (39.2 m/s/s) max
TTFF warm* 38 s
time
TTFF cold* 45 s no information
3.6 Static accuracy
<10 s obstruction with Horizontal CEP: 5 m full accuracy C/A code
re-acquisition 2s valid almanac, position, Vertical VEP: 10 m full accuracy C/A code
time & ephemeris
*Figures provided for TTFF are for 90% or better for 1st fix.

Table 3-1 Acquisition times

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4.0 Electrical requirements 6.0 Software protocol
4.1 Power supply The following sections describe the GPS1240
software protocol, including the default
The GPS1240 is designed to operate off a wide NMEA-0183 (v2) protocol.
supply voltage, as follows:
6.1 NMEA output
Input voltage range 7 to 32 VDC
The GPS1240 has a data transmission speed of
Power consumption 30 mA at 12 VDC (typical) 4800 Baud. The update rate is once per second,
continuous.
Table 4-1 Operating power for the GPS1240
NMEA sentence Factory
4.2 Data input/output default
The serial data complies with RS232. GGA – global positioning system fix data on
GLL – geographic position - latitude/ off
5.0 Interfaces longitude
GSA – DOP and active satellites on
5.1 External interface connection GSV – satellites in view on
The GPS1240 has a 10 m cable fitted with an 8-pin RMC – recommended minimum specific on
female waterproof connector. Figure 5-1 shows the GNSS data
pin layout of the connector. VTG – course over ground and ground on
speed
Part number Manufacturer ZDA – time & date off
LTW-8FM Liang Tei

Table 5-1 Connector part description Table 6-1 NMEA default settings

6.2 NMEA sentence control

7 1
The proprietary NMEA command sentence to
6 8 2
enable or disable NMEA sentences is:
5 3 $<proprietary header>,<source
4 device>,<sentence>,< query | enable |
disable>,<sentence rate>*CKSM<CR><LF>

Figure 5-1 Pinout diagram for the LTW-8FM Note: Sentence rate field may be omitted, in which
connector case a period of 1 s is assumed.

Pin number Description

6.2.1 Examples of communication with a host
device
1 ground
To query the status of the GLL sentence:
2 power input (+7 to 32 VDC) $PTTK,TK,GLL,Q*CKSM<CR><LF>
3 not used
To enable GLL sentence output every 2 seconds:
4 NMEA data in (RS232) $PTTK,TK,GLL,A,2*CKSM<CR><LF>
5 not used
To disable ZDA sentence output:
6 NMEA data out (RS232) $PTTK,TK,ZDA,V*CKSM<CR><LF>
7 not used
To enable all NMEA sentences:
8 not used $PTTK,TK,NME,A*CKSM<CR><LF>
To disable all sentences (except RMC):
Table 5-2 LTW-8FM connector pinout
descriptions $PTTK,TK,NME,V*CKSM<CR><LF>

Note: The RMC sentence is always output, it can

The LTW-8FM connector is compatible for use
not be disabled.
with the male 8-pin connector LTW-8MF (refer to
www.ltw-tech.com for further details).

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When command sentences are entered, the The acknowledgement messages returned by the
GPS1240 will acknowledge the command with a GPS1240 are formatted as shown in the following
message. An example of this message format is examples.
shown below.
augmentation enabled:
The GLL message will be output at 1 Hz: $PTTK,GP,AS,A*CKSM<CR><LF>
$PTTK,GP,GLL,A,1*CKSM<CR><LF>
augmentation disabled:
The configuration parameters set via the NMEA $PTTK,GP,AS,V*CKSM<CR><LF>
command sentences are stored in battery backed
memory and will be used at power up. If the
battery backup is unavailable, the default settings 7.0 Mounting options
shown in Table 6-1 will be used.
The GPS1240 Rugged Sensor can be installed on
Refer to the SiRF NMEA protocol reference a flat surface or on a pole mount (provided). All
manual for a full list of the NMEA commands. mounting hardware is supplied (see Section 8.0
Packaging Configuration).
6.3 SiRF binary output
The NMEA command format to change the data For further details on how to install the GPS1240,
protocol to SiRF binary can be found in the SiRF refer to the Installation Manual.
NMEA protocol reference manual. For a full list
of the SiRF binary commands, refer to the SiRF 7.1 Surface mounting
binary protocol reference manual. The GPS1240 can be mounted on a suitable
level surface which allows for affixing nuts. The
6.4 SBAS (Satellite Base Augmentation GPS1240 must be mounted in a safe position
System) control where the drilled holes will not weaken the
structure of the vehicle.
The SBAS feature is active by default. It can be
disabled by user command.
7.2 Pole mounting
The configuration parameters, set via the NMEA The GPS1240 can be mounted on a 25.4 mm
command sentences to enable SBAS, are stored diameter pole with a thread of 14 TPI UNB.
in battery backed memory and are used at
power-up.
8.0 Packaging configuration
The proprietary NMEA command sentence to
check, enable or disable SBAS feature is: Each GPS1240 Sensor is individually packaged
in its own gift box, accompanied with the required
$<proprietary header>,<source
mounting accessories.
device>,<augmentation system>,<query |
enable | disable>*CKSM<CR><LF>
The GPS1240 is supplied with the following parts:
• installation manual
6.4.1 Examples of communication with a host • 10 m cable
device • surface mount gasket
The command sentences required to check, • 4 threaded rods: thread M4 x 40 mm
enable or disable the SBAS feature are listed as • 4 washers & nuts
follows. • pole mount adaptor
• 4 screws
query the GPS1240 setting:
$PTTK,TK,AS,Q*CKSM<CR><LF> 8.1 Product delivery
enable augmentation: The GPS1240 Sensor is packaged as part of
a shipped carton containing 18 gift boxes (see
$PTTK,TK,AS,A*CKSM<CR><LF>
Figure 8-1).
disable augmentation:
$PTTK,TK,AS,V*CKSM<CR><LF>

LA000505A © 2004 Navman NZ Ltd. All rights reserved. Proprietary information and specifications subject to change without notice. 8
 Figure 8-1 GPS1240 gift box
Glossary and acronyms
Almanac: a set of orbital parameters that allows
calculation of approximate GPS satellite positions
and velocities. The almanac is used by a GPS
receiver to determine satellite visibility and as an
aid during acquisition of GPS satellite signals. The
almanac is a subset of satellite ephemeris data
and is updated weekly by GPS Control.
DGPS: Differential GPS. A technique to improve
GPS accuracy that uses pseudo-range errors
recorded at a known location to improve the
measurements made by other GPS receivers
within the same general geographic area.
EHPE: Expected Horizontal Position Error.
EVPE: Expected Vertical Position Error.
Ephemeris: a set of satellite orbital parameters
that is used by a GPS receiver to calculate
precise GPS satellite positions and velocities. The
ephemeris is used to determine the navigation
solution and is updated frequently to maintain the
accuracy of GPS receivers.
GPS: Global Positioning System. A space-based
radio positioning system which provides suitably
equipped users with accurate position, velocity,
and time data. When fully operational, GPS
will provide this data free of direct user charge
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worldwide, continuously, and under all weather
conditions. The GPS constellation will consist of 24
orbiting satellites, four equally spaced around each
of six different orbital planes.
I/O: Input/output.
NMEA: National Marine Electronics Association.
OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer.
RFIC: Radio Frequency Interference Converter.
RTC: Real-Time Clock.
Re-acquisition: The time taken for a position to
be obtained after all satellites have been made
invisible to the receiver.
SBAS: Satellite Base Augmentation System.
SRAM: Static Random Access Memory.
TCXO: Temperature Compensated Crystal
Oscillator.
TTFF: Time To First Fix. The actual time required
by a GPS receiver to achieve a position solution.
This specification will vary with the operating state
of the receiver, the length of time since the last
position fix, the location of the last fix, and the
specific receiver design.
9
© 2004 Navman NZ Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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